Supporters of Nitro’s Law plan rally

Supporters of Nitro’s Law, a bill to increase criminal penalties against kennel operators who abuse animals in their care, will rally Wednesday outside the Statehouse in Columbus.

The rally will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

House Bill 108 was introduced by state Reps. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th, and Ronald V. Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, after 19 dogs were found starving, including eight who died, at the High Caliber K-9 kennel on Coitsville-Hubbard Road in 2008.

The kennel owner was convicted of four misdemeanors.

The proposed law could allow felony charges to be filed in similar cases.

One of the dead dogs was Nitro, a 3-year-old Rottweiler.

Liz Raab, Nitro’s owner, said state legislators need to approve the bill, which passed the Ohio House last session but failed to get a Senate vote last year.

The bill passed a House committee, but it isn’t known when the full House will consider it.

“Thousands of Ohio residents have contacted their legislators advocating for the passage of Nitro’s Law, HB 108, which would allow for the possibility of a felony provision in cases of abuse, neglect and killing of companion animals by making kennel owners, operators and employees responsible and accountable for caring for other people’s animals,” Raab said.